How to Write a Summary & Review Essay on an Article

Writing a summary and review essay of an article strengthens a reader's critical thinking skills. It allows the reader to fully understand what the article is about, and why this is important. An article may share new information, express the author's opinions on a popular topic or tell someone’s story. By writing a summary and review essay on an article, you will be able to explore how you interpret the article and whether the information is relevant to you.

Take notes as you read the article. Jot down any questions you may have as you read, and if those questions are answered. Write down your reactions to certain areas of the article and any major issues the article covers.

Develop an overall opinion of the article. If you feel the article is informative, take notes on how this is accomplished. If you feel the article did not fully cover both sides of an issue, explain where the article failed to do so. Point out what you liked about the article, what you didn’t like, and why.

Write a brief summary of the article. A summary is a paragraph telling readers, in your own words, what the article is about. Share the article’s main ideas. Write it as though you were telling a friend about this article. Remember the 5 Ws and H: who, what, where, when, why and how.

Study your notes to write your review. Ask yourself what your main idea is after reading the article. Quote the article in order to support your conclusions. If you disagree with what the article has covered, share excerpts from the article and state why. Support your disagreement with a solid reason, such as personal experience or information from other published works such as a book.

Compose your conclusion. Your conclusion must briefly touch on what you addressed in your summary and your overall opinion of the article. This part of your essay must show your reason for writing the review in the first place. Share your opinion of if the author has successfully written the kind of article she sat out to write. Include your reasons for why you feel this way.

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About the Author

Dawn Colclasure has written for the newspaper, "SIGNews," since 2003 and has been published in several different newspapers and magazines. Dawn also writes books on writing and the paranormal. She lives and writes in Eugene, Oregon.